Boniface Mwangi plans Uhuru Park concert in honour of fallen protesters

While sharing the plans on X, Mwangi said he had tried to reach Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja in futile. He also said that his phone calls to both the governor and Shaffie Weru, who runs the events docket in the county, went unanswered.

"We wanted to have a concert on Saturday lakini @SakajaJohnson na watu wake @ShaffieWeru hawachukui simu. Watupatie Uhuru Park tufanye concert on Saturday to honour those the government murdered. Sakaja can we get access to Uhuru Park on Saturday as is? Who do we speak to?" he tweeted.

Later, however, Boniface revealed that Shaffie Weru had reached out to him and asked him to make his request in writing, with Mwangi adding that this would be a concert akin to the one he helped organise for the Garissa massacre victims in 2015.

"Nairobi County Head of Events @ShaffieWeru has called and told me to request the grounds in writing. We did a concert for the Garissa terror victims in April 2015. It will be great if we get Uhuru Park on Saturday. All artists performed for free. Tag your favourite, let’s do this!" he added.

In the Saturday concert, the activist is hoping to rope in all the big names in the Kenyan entertainment scene, especially the ones with a track record of artistic activism and releasing socially-conscious music, like Juliani and Eric Wainaina.

Already, the 'Daima' hit-maker has agreed to perform at the event for free - and will bring along his full band. 

"@EricWainaina has agreed to perform with his full band. Wacha tupate venue," Mwangi posted.

From a private message sent to Mwangi from a Kenyan, the concert should be treated as a solemn sendoff to the gunshot victims as well as yet another opportunity to peacefully assemble and march.

"Let's make it a concert in honour of the fallen. Alafu after the concert, people hold a peaceful march. Slow and solemn. This will not be easy to disrupt," the text reads.

Tribute concerts in honour of people killed in peaceful protests are not uncommon around the world. Many countries regularly hold these shows, which are usually free, as a way of remembering the lost souls and celebrating their last efforts on Earth.

After the Iran riots shook the world, several countries with a huge Iranian population, held concerts to honour not just the thousands of other victims but also 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who died after she had been detained by the country's morality police over her clothing.

Global superstar Dua Lipa was one of the leading stars who helped play at concerts in honour of killed Iranians.

Justin Bieber, Yungblud, Ricky Martin, Halsey and Googoosh are also some of the big names who spoke out about Iran and played concerts in honour of the killed protesters.